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Iraq
Iraqi PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi (R) and Dhi Qar Governor Ahmed al-Khajafi pictured on April 7, 2021. Photo: PM's office/Twitter
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al- Kadhimi has assigned a new governor for Dhi Qar province, state media reported on Wednesday evening, after protests demanding the dismissal of the local government.
Abdul-Ghani al-Asadi has been removed as governor after less than two months in office, replacing Nathem al-Waeli who resigned in February after bloody protests calling for his dismissal.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Tuesday appealed to the people of Dhi Qar to stand by the local government "regardless of the name of the governor." A "fuel crisis" was announced in the city on the same day, as protesters blocked access to the Nasiriyah oil refinery and local government buildings.
Ahmed al-Khafaji, a cardiologist and former provincial health official, has been appointed as the new governor, according to state media.
Kadhimi has directed Khafaji to “work and make every effort to serve the people of the province,” the PM’s office said on Wednesday – but protesters are not happy with the news.
"Khafaji came from outside the protest sites, and this is completely unacceptable," Activist Walaa Kadhim told Rudaw English on Wednesday, confirming demonstrations and sit-ins will continue in Nasiriyah until their demands are met.
The change in governor comes the same day Kadhimi was supposed to announce the results of an investigation into bloody protester killings in the province. No results have been released as of Wednesday evening.
State media also reported Kadhimi’s formation of a five-member “advisory council” in Dhi Qar to assist the governor and other officials – but protesters are not satisfied.
“This council is an attempt to satisfy tribes in Nasiriyah. It is made up of tribal sheikhs in the governorate, and they are all affiliated with the parties in power,” Muhamed al-Khayat told Rudaw English on Wednesday.
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